The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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now departed Will Campbell had one). The year before, with NFLbound Mike Martin running the show, the defensive tackles tallied 7.5 sacks. The Wolverines need to get more production out of their interior guys. "We've talked about that a lot," Black said. "We want to get as many sacks as we can — what defense doesn't? We base our defensive line's ability on sacks, and the numbers were definitely low last year. "We're going back to the technique, the drawing board, the film. Making sure this foot or this hand is where it's supposed to be. We're going back to the little stuff, because that leads to the big stuff." The Wolverines' interior scheme is set up so Washington and Pipkins are plugging up the middle and commanding double teams, which opens things up for the three-technique defensive tackle to wreak a little more havoc. That's why the average weight of the three players vying for playing time at the one-technique is almost 30 pounds heavier than Black, Henry and Strobel, who are competing at the three-technique (310 pounds compared to 283). They're a little smaller, but definitely quicker and more agile. Black and Strobel, who have both played defensive end, have the speed of an outside rusher but can still stuff the run when necessary. Black and his fellow three-technique cohorts know they have to be more disruptive this season. The coaching staff gave Black a tape of a few NFL defensive tack- les with similar body types and skill sets, and he has been watching it over and over since the start of the summer. One player he has focused on is Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Despite weighing about 20 pounds lighter than the average NFL defensive tackle (he played at 293 last year, and the average is around 310), Atkins dominated inside. Last season, he notched 53 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. And Black, 6-2, 278, can be that type of player. Last season, he had five tackles for loss and three sacks, and he's hoping to build on those numbers this year. "I am really looking at him and trying to imitate him," Black said. "I have improved a lot. Last year, I had trouble getting off blocks. I feel like I stayed on blocks too long. My pad level was a little too high. I'm not thinking too much now, just going with my instincts, trusting myself and my ability to make a play." Henry and Strobel will be rotating with Black at the three-technique, lining up between the offensive guards and tackles. Although he's the biggest of the three, Henry (6-2, 306) has the athletic ability and motor to be the perfect three-technique tackle. "I really like playing there," Henry said. "You don't have to worry about the double-team as much. When Q or Ondre are doing that, it frees you up a little bit. I like using my hands and making a move, and I can do that a